Department for Transport

Department for Transport: Brexit

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much and what proportion of his Department's expenditure has been identified as relating to its work on the UK leaving the EU in 2017-18.

Jesse Norman: Plans are being developed for the full range of costs and investment required to support the UK exit. Contributions are being made from across the department and there is no central figure held for the cost of this work.

Crossrail 2 Line

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it remains the Government's policy to accept the recommendations of the National Infrastructure Commission in relation to Crossrail 2.

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to make a decision on Government support for the business case for Crossrail 2.

Jesse Norman: The Government recognises the case for capacity improvements in London and the wider South East, such as those that Crossrail 2 could deliver. We are currently analysing the Strategic Outline Business Case, submitted by Transport for London, to ensure it is a robust investment with a fair and credible funding plan, as recommended by the National Infrastructure Commission. Our next steps to deliver those capacity improvements will be decided when that analysis is complete.

Crossrail 2 Line

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Crossrail 2 business case submitted by Transport for London to his Department sets out how Transport for London will provide for and raise half of the funds needed for that project.

Jesse Norman: The Crossrail 2 Strategic Outline Business Case contains a funding and financing proposal from the Mayor of London and Transport for London. Further work is required to examine how London could pay for at least half of the costs during construction.

Crossrail 2 Line: Staff

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many of his Department's staff are currently working on Crossrail 2.

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the time spent by his Department's staff on the Crossrail 2 business case who are (a) based exclusively in his Department and (b) embedded with Transport for London in the financial year 2016-17 and prior to Transport for London submitting that business case to his Department.

Jesse Norman: We are currently analysing the Strategic Outline Business Case, submitted by Transport for London, to ensure it is a robust investment with a fair and credible funding plan, as recommended by the National Infrastructure Commission. Our next steps to deliver those capacity improvements will be decided when that analysis is complete. There are 6.8 full-time equivalent members of staff currently working on Crossrail 2 in the Department. They have spent a significant proportion of their time providing advice to and working closely with Transport for London officials on the development of the Strategic Outline Business Case.

Railways: Repairs and Maintenance

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had discussions with Network Rail on projects scheduled to be finished within Control Period 5 which will not be completed.

Jesse Norman: The Transport Secretary holds regular discussions with Network Rail, as the infrastructure owner and principle delivery partner, to discuss a wide range of topics, including current projects. The Government remains committed to the biggest investment for over a century to provide faster journeys and more comfortable trains.

Crossrail 2 Line

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to publish the Crossrail 2 business case submitted by Transport for London to his Department.

Jesse Norman: The Government is currently considering the Crossrail 2 Strategic Outline Business Case submitted by Transport for London (TfL). Once this is completed, we will consider plans for any publication.

Railways: Skilled Workers

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the level of work orders necessary to ensure the retention of a skilled work force in the railway supply chain.

Jesse Norman: In formulating plans for the next Control Period, the Transport Secretary has looked to balance a wide range of factors, including supply chain capability. In line with the Industrial Strategy, the Transport Secretary expects our investment in the railway to facilitate the development of a more innovative, productive and globally competitive domestic supply chain, leaving a lasting legacy.

Railways: Repairs and Maintenance

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Railway Industry Association and representatives of companies in the railway supply chain on Control Period 6.

Jesse Norman: Secretary of State regularly meets with rail industry representatives to discuss rail matters, including, at a high level, plans for Control Period 6.

Midland Main Railway Line

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of the total cost of the upgrade to the Midland Main Line; and how that figure differs from the initial estimate of that cost.

Jesse Norman: We announced on 20 July 2017 our plans for the Midland Main Line, along with the launch of the public consultation for the next East Midlands franchise. The next East Midlands franchise will be an important step in realising the benefits of the biggest investment in the route since it was completed in 1870. The upgrade will enable reduced journey times and more seats for long distance passengers during the peaks, as well as dedicated commuter services with longer trains. The next operator will be required to deliver modern, fast, efficient and comfortable trains, including a brand new fleet of bi-mode intercity trains from 2022, with more seats and better on-board facilities. In July 2012, the indicative cost for the electrification and upgrade of the Midland Main Line was estimated at £800 million. Network Rail is currently in negotiation with its suppliers regarding the planned work to be carried out on the Midland Main Line, and it is not therefore possible to give such an estimate without potentially compromising their financial position in those negotiations.

Department for Transport: European Union (Withdrawal) Bill

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the potential number of Acts or parts of Acts in the remit of his Department that will be subject to repeal as a result of provisions in the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill.

Jesse Norman: Government departments have been analysing the UK statute book and directly applicable EU law in their areas of responsibility to enable an assessment of the scale of the changes needed. This is likely to include the repeal, but also the amendment, of provisions in Acts but we are not in a position to give a sense of scale at this time. In the Government White Paper on the Repeal Bill ‘Legislating for the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union’, published on 30 March 2017, the Government estimated around 800-1,000 EU-exit related Statutory Instruments will be required.

Department for Transport: Welsh Language

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which of his Department's online services are only available in the Welsh language on request.

Jesse Norman: The Government is committed to ensuring that the needs of Welsh language speakers are recognised and met in accordance with the requirements of the Welsh Language Schemes. The information requested is as follows: DfT (c) – The Department for Transport’s online service for the Blue Badge Scheme is provided in Welsh on request. MCA - In line with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Welsh Language Scheme, MCA do not provide any online services in the Welsh language. VCA – The Vehicle Certification Agency has two publically available services online. These are: the import of vehicles previously registered in Europe into the UK through the Mutual Recognition scheme; andthe provision of Fuel Consumption and CO2 information for cars and light vans. Import of vehicles into the UK though the Mutual recognition schemeIndividuals wishing to import a vehicle are directed to the GOV UK website. The requisite forms are available in English; a version in Welsh would only be available on request. Fuel Consumption and CO2 information VCA manages a live online database containing information on new and used cars available for sale in the UK. However, VCA also provides an annual CDROM containing all of this information along with supportive text. The text and search options are available in both English and Welsh. Lastly, VCA also manage a van fuel database, again containing fuel consumption and other emissions data. This is largely data driven information so is available in English but outputs could be provided in Welsh on request. DVSA – The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has no online services that are only available in the Welsh language on request. DVLA - All but one of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s online services are available in the Welsh language. The only exception is the ‘Fitness to Drive’ service which is currently undergoing beta testing. There are plans to deliver this service in the Welsh language when it completes its testing and is delivered as a live facility.

Liverpool Port: Railways

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2017 to Question 4567, how much his Department plans to spend on (a) setting out its priorities for investment in train services and (b) consulting with the rail industry, Transport for the North and other stakeholders.

Jesse Norman: The Department does not collect information on its administrative spending plans at this level of disaggregation. Information about the Department’s spending and business plan can be found at www.gov.uk

Railways: North of England

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2017 to Question 4564, what assessment he has made of the quality of the analysis in the National Infrastructure Pipeline 2016, published on 23 March 2016; and what the reason is for the difference in the figures in that publication and in Answer of 17 July 2017.

Jesse Norman: HM Treasury’s Country and Regional Analysis (CRA) and the Infrastructure and Projects Authority’s National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline (NICP) are not directly comparable. The CRA provides comprehensive historical analysis of public sector spend on transport by region up to 2016, outlining spend on maintaining and administering the transport network, such as maintaining the local road network. It also includes the actual investment to build new infrastructure, such as investment in a new bypass. CRA data are National Statistics. The NICP differs from the CRA in that it is a forward-looking view focused on planned projects. It is intended to provide industry with a strategic view of the planned investment in projects to deliver new infrastructure and construction projects across the public and private sectors, including the transport network, up to 2021 and beyond. The IPA makes clear that the NICP is based on non-comprehensive, unaudited administrative data and should not be considered as National Statistics or Official Statistics. It is very difficult to offer a meaningful regional breakdown of infrastructure investment based on the NICP. This is because only around 40% of the value of projects in the pipeline to 2020/21 has been allocated to individual English regions.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Construction: Regulation

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to enforce the Construction Products Regulation EU 305/2011.

Alok Sharma: The European Construction Products Regulation (EU 305/2011) is enforced under the UK Construction Products Regulation 2013 (SI 2013/1387).Compliance monitoring and enforcement duties fall to local authorities’ Weights and Measures (Trading Standards) in England, Scotland and Wales and District Councils in Northern Ireland.

Department for Communities and Local Government: Welsh Language

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which of his Department's online services are only available in the Welsh language on request.

Jake Berry: The Government is committed to ensuring that the needs of Welsh language speakers are recognised and met, in accordance with the requirements of departmental Welsh Language Schemes.

Department for Communities and Local Government: European Union (Withdrawal) Bill

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the potential number of Acts or parts of Acts that will be subject to repeal as a result of provisions in the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill.

Jake Berry: Government departments have been analysing the UK statute book and directly applicable EU law in areas of responsibility to enable an assessment of the scale of the changes needed. This is likely to include the repeal, but also the amendment, of provisions in Acts but we are not in a position to give a sense of scale at this time.   In the Government White Paper on the Repeal Bill, published on 30 March 2017, we estimated around 800-1,000 EU-exit Statutory Instruments will be required.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Energy: Prices

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the merits of a relative price cap for domestic energy consumers.

Margot James: My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State has written to Ofgem asking the regulator to advise him on the action it intends to take to safeguard customers on the poorest value tariffs.

Wind Power: Seas and Oceans

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what proportion of the UK's offshore wind sector is owned by UK investors and companies.

Richard Harrington: Holding answer received on 17 July 2017



We do not hold specific information on UK ownership given the breadth of the sector and related supply chain. There has been significant overseas investment into offshore wind in the UK. Bloomberg New Energy Finance reported that in 2016 the UK led Europe for the third successive year, with investment of $25.9bn, up 2% year on year percentage increase in investment in the UK in clean energy.

Energy: Swansea East

Carolyn Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of how many and what proportion of constituents in Swansea East constituency will be covered by the Government's proposals to safeguard customers on the poorest value tariff.

Margot James: The Department has not undertaken any estimate of the number, or proportion of customers in individual constituencies, who would be protected by proposals to safeguard customers on the poorest value tariffs. Ofgem is considering options to protect vulnerable consumers and has yet to announce a formal proposal. Alongside this Ofgem has announced a package of measures to help consumers move away from poor value tariffs.

Telephone Services: Fees and Charges

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure that conventional telephone line-only customers can access competitive rates.

Margot James: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.Ofcom, as the UK’s independent communications regulator, is currently reviewing the market for standalone telephone line-only customers. Due to its concerns about competition for those who only have a telephone line, it proposed a price cut of £5 - £7 a month for these customers when it consulted in February 2017. Ofcom’s review is designed to ensure that customers with these kind of lines receive better value for money than at present when using their telephone service. Ofcom will set out the changes needed to protect this group of customers later this year.

Overseas Companies

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government takes to ensure that British businesses abroad uphold (a) international law on free, prior and informed consent, (b) the International Labour Organisation Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and (c) the rights of land and environmental activists operational in other countries.

Margot James: The Government’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights implements the United Nations’ voluntary Guiding Principles and sets out expectations of businesses to respect human rights wherever they operate. As part of this, businesses are encouraged to adopt appropriate due diligence policies to identify, prevent and mitigate human rights risks and to consult people who may be affected at all stages of project design and implementation, in ways which ensure their participation and take into account language or other potential barriers, and to pay particular attention to indigenous peoples. The Government’s Overseas Business Risk service helps with this by providing geopolitical and economic analysis on overseas markets to exporters, including information on potential human rights risks.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Staff

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many officials of his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public body have the word trade in their job title.

Margot James: Job titles are determined by the needs of the business and the role being carried out to meet department and ministerial objectives. As a result this level of detail is not held centrally and to collate it would incur disproportionate cost. 



Agency responses
(PDF Document, 181.43 KB)

Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to re-introduce the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Regulations 2017.

Claire Perry: We are aware of the need to provide industry with clarity on the Renewable Heat Incentive reforms, and will do so as soon as possible.

High Speed 2 Railway Line: Iron and Steel

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with Secretary of State for Transport about the use of British-made steel in the construction of High Speed 2.

Claire Perry: Last December, the Government issued updated guidance to public sector contracting authorities on how to ensure that they take full account of the value provided by UK steel producers when conducting their procurement activities. Since publication of the guidance, the Government has been working closely with central government departments, including the Department for Transport, to monitor the impact and effectiveness of the guidance.The Government has also published details of upcoming steel requirements for national infrastructure projects. The data shows how the government plans to use three million tonnes of steel until 2020 on infrastructure projects such as High Speed 2 (HS2), the construction of Hinkley Point, and the maintenance and upgrading of the UK’s motorway network. This steel-specific pipeline complements the National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline, which set out over £500 billion worth of planned private and public investment.In order to maximise British involvement in supply chain opportunities in the construction of HS2, HS2 has engaged extensively with businesses of all sizes from a diverse range of sectors and across the UK; also working closely with UK Steel, British Constructional Steel Association, the Galvanisers Association and the Confederation of British Metalforming.HS2 Ltd’s recently announced successful Main Works Contractor Tenderers have all confirmed they will comply with works information and further the requirements and spirit of HM Government Procurement Guidance on steel. HS2 will continue to engage with any British business that is interested in supporting its supply chain, throughout the lifetime of the programme.

Industry: Energy

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to establish an industrial energy efficiency scheme.

Claire Perry: The Department’s officials are currently developing options for an industrial energy efficiency scheme. I anticipate being in a position to provide more details on what such a scheme could look like in the coming months.

Ethnic Diversity of UK Boards Review

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the recommendations of the Parker Review on corporate boards.

Margot James: Sir John Parker’s review is a business-led diversity initiative. He consulted on draft recommendations from November 2016 to February 2017, which the Government has endorsed.Diversity and inclusion in the boardroom and the workplace is a hugely important element of building an economy that works for all. That is why I have created a Business Diversity and Inclusion Group to provide strategic leadership on this agenda, and to help deliver a clear and coordinated message to the business community on what they need to do. I have invited Sir John to participate alongside Sir Philip Hampton and Dame Helen Alexander, who are chairing a review aimed at increasing female leadership in FTSE companies, and Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, who led a review examining the obstacles faced by businesses in developing BME talent from recruitment through to the executive level. The Government will keep a close eye on how things develop and consider whether it needs to take further action once Sir John has finalised his recommendations later this year.

Energy: Prices

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what progress has been made on commissioning an independent review into the cost of energy for households and businesses.

Margot James: We are already taking steps to reduce the cost of energy for households and businesses and will outline our plans for the review shortly.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Welsh Language

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which of his Department's online services are only available in the Welsh language on request.

Mark Field: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides a number of digital services aimed at customers in the UK and overseas. These are currently in English only.

Kamal Foroughi

Oliver Dowden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Iranian counterpart on ensuring that Mr Kamal Foroughi is allowed to receive social and humanitarian visitors in Evin Prison.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign Secretary last raised Mr Foroughi's case when he met Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif in February. I raised our concerns regarding treatment of dual nationals detained in Iran with the Deputy Foreign Minister, Dr Ravanchi, on 21 June and in my meeting with the Iranian Ambassador on 6 July. The Government will continue to raise our concerns with the Iranian Government at every opportunity.

Commonwealth: Equality

Mr Bob Seely: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government will put equalities issues on the agenda for the 2018 Commonwealth Summit; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The Government believes that the Commonwealth is an enormous force for good around the world, through its promotion of freedom, democracy, human rights, development and prosperity.The Commonwealth Summit, which the UK will host in April 2018, will encourage all Commonwealth members to uphold the Charter's commitment to oppose all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in gender, race, colour, creed, political, religious or other beliefs.While it is too early to set out the specific agenda, a key goal of the Summit will be to reinforce the Commonwealth's commitment to the rules-based international system based on members' shared values of democracy, good governance, equality and the rule of law.

Hong Kong: Politics and Government

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has discussed the extension of universal franchise in Hong Kong with the Chief Executive of Hong Kong.

Mark Field: I have not spoken to Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, since she took office on 1 July. However our Consul General to Hong Kong and Macao, Mr Andrew Heyn OBE, met Carrie Lam on 19 April following her election victory of 26 March.The Foreign Secretary issued a Written Ministerial Statement to the House on 29 June to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statements/) (29 June 2017, Official Report, House of Commons, column HCWS19) which outlined our assessment of the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle, as well as referencing specific concerns over its implementation. The UK continues to believe that it is in Hong Kong's best interests that discussion resumes between all parties in order to make further progress towards a more democratic and accountable system of government, as provided for in the Basic Law.

Pressure Groups: Environment

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the rights of land and environmental activists operational in other countries; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Field: We support the right and ability of civil society, including those focusing on land rights and the environment, to operate freely and hold both Governments and businesses to account. Our National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights reasserts our commitment to promote the protection of human rights defenders active on such issues from any act of intimidation.

Hong Kong and Macao: Foreign Relations

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Consul General of Hong Kong and Macao.

Mark Field: ​I held a meeting with our Consul General to Hong Kong and Macao, Mr Andrew Heyn OBE, on 12 July. We discussed the latest situation in Hong Kong, as well as my plans to visit Hong Kong later this year.

Hong Kong: Foreign Relations

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether (a) he and (b) the Minister for Asia has met with any members of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong since 8 June 2017.

Mark Field: ​I plan to visit Hong Kong later this year and while there will look to meet with Legislative Council members from a range of parties.As part of his normal duties, our Consul General to Hong Kong and Macao, Mr Andrew Heyn OBE, meets with members of the Legislative Council. I have, however, not met any members of the Legislative Council since my appointment and nor has the Foreign Secretary.

British Indian Ocean Territory: Minimum Wage

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on whether the base contractor or other employers on Diego Garcia are required to pay a legal minimum wage.

Sir Alan Duncan: The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Employment Ordinance No.7 of 1984 (as amended) covers various aspects of employment law in the Territory and is available in the House of Commons library. BIOT ordinances do not extend to the Territory. As base contractors on Diego Garcia are contracted directly by the United States, we do not hold information regarding employees and employment practice.

British Overseas Territories: Companies

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which Overseas Territories did not establish a register of beneficial ownership by 1 July 2017.

Sir Alan Duncan: I refer the Hon member to my response to Question 3734 dated 18 July.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Staff

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many officials of his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies have the word trade in their job title.

Mark Field: Building the UK’s prosperity is a key priority for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). Our network of Posts overseas work to deliver the goals of the whole of Government, including in support of the objectives of the Department for International Trade. A significant proportion of FCO officials both in the UK and overseas support this agenda but do not necessarily have the word “trade” in their job title, including for example Ambassadors and other Heads of Missions.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: European Union (Withdrawal) Bill

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the potential number of Acts or parts of Acts in the remit of his Department that will be subject to repeal as a result of provisions in the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill.

Sir Alan Duncan: Government departments have been analysing the UK statute book and directly applicable EU law in their areas of responsibility to enable an assessment of the scale of the changes needed. This is likely to include the repeal, but also the amendment, of provisions in Acts but we are not in a position to give a sense of scale at this time.In the Government White Paper on the Repeal Bill ['Legislating for the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union'], published on 30 March 2017, we estimated around 800 - 1,000 EU-exit related Statutory Instruments will be required.

Tibet: Human Rights

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that human rights abuses in Tibet are raised in discussions with the Chinese Government at ministerial and official level.

Mark Field: ​We continue to raise our concerns about the human rights situation in Tibet with the Chinese authorities on a regular basis. We most recently raised our concerns about Tibet at the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue held in Beijing on 27 June. The Foreign Secretary also raised the issue with the Chinese Government at the UK/China Strategic dialogue in December 2016.

Kamal Foroughi and Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Iranian counterpart on the prison conditions of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Kamal Foroughi.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign Secretary raised the cases of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Kamal Foroughi when he last met his Iranian counterpart in February. I raised this matter with Deputy Foreign Minister Dr Ravanchi on 21 June and in my meeting with the Iranian Ambassador on 6 July.We have repeatedly requested consular access so that we may be assured of the detainees' welfare and their access to any appropriate medical treatment, however, Iran does not recognise dual nationality and therefore does not grant us consular access. Nevertheless we shall continue to lobby the Iranian authorities about these cases at the highest levels at every opportunity.

Turkey: Human Rights

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will raise with his Turkish counterpart the issue of human rights violations against those peacefully protesting against the Turkish Government.

Sir Alan Duncan: We have long encouraged Turkey to work towards the full protection of fundamental rights, particularly in the area of freedom of expression and assembly. I have had regular discussions with my Turkish counterpart on human rights issues.

Capital Punishment

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people executed in each country by the government of that country in each year since 2010.

Mark Field: The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and we make our opposition well known at the highest levels to countries which continue to apply it. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office works closely with leading human rights organisations to promote abolition of the death penalty globally. The FCO draws on data from Amnesty International which reports on the numbers of executions worldwide in a series of Annual Reports on the Death penalty, available at its website: www.amnesty.org

Maryam Rajavi

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which EU member states will (a) allow and (b) not allow Maryam Rajavi to visit.

Alistair Burt: It is for each individual EU Member State to answer this question, not the responsibility of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Brexit

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much and what proportion of his Department's expenditure has been identified as relating to its work on the UK leaving the EU in 2017-18.

Sir Alan Duncan: The UK's departure from the EU affects work across the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, from direct work on our departure to wider diplomatic work with partners across the world explaining the opportunities this creates. Therefore, the information requested is not held centrally and to compile would incur disproportionate costs.

Nuclear Disarmament

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to his Department's statement of 8 July on the outcome of the United Nations' Nuclear Weapons Ban treaty, which multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations using a step-by-step approach the UK is currently engaged in; and how many nuclear warheads have been removed from deployment as a result of such negotiations since the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty.

Sir Alan Duncan: We continue to work with partners across the international community to press for key steps towards multilateral disarmament, including the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and successful negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty in the Conference on Disarmament. There have been significant reductions in global warhead numbers since the late 1970s; the UK has reduced our nuclear forces by over half since that date.

Nuclear Disarmament

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the joint statement by the UK, US and France of 7 July 2017 on the adoption of a treaty banning nuclear weapons, how the ban treaty risks undermining the existing international security architecture; and how the Government has promoted the effectiveness of Article 6 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty on nuclear disarmament.

Sir Alan Duncan: The treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons risks weakening the consensus around the near-universal Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which has played an unparalleled role in curtailing the nuclear arms race. The UK is working with international partners to make progress on the step-by-step approach to nuclear disarmament, including the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and negotiating a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty in the Conference on Disarmament. The treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons does not take account of the complex challenges which must be overcome to achieve multilateral nuclear disarmament. The UK is committed to the long term goal of a world without nuclear weapons, in line with the NPT. We believe that productive results on nuclear disarmament can only be achieved through a consensus-based approach that takes into account the wider global security context.

Department for Exiting the European Union

UK Trade With EU: Motor Vehicles

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, if he will seek concessions on tariff-free trade with the EU for (a) the automotive industry and (b) Nissan in Sunderland after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Steve Baker: The Government has been clear that it wants to see zero tariffs on trade in goods and to minimise the regulatory and market access barriers for both goods and services. We want our deep and special partnership with the EU to include the automotive industry, ensuring that trade is as free and frictionless as possible.It is in both our interests to continue this deep and special partnership between our industries, and we will secure a deal that works for the entire United Kingdom.

Department for Exiting the European Union: Staff

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many officials of his Department have the word trade in their job title.

Mr Steve Baker: Officials working in a range of areas and professions have the word trade in their job title. The Department for Exiting the European Union’s published organisation chart can be found here and details the policy areas and teams within DExEU. This chart is kept under review and updated to reflect any structural changes.



DExEU organisational chart
(PDF Document, 915.04 KB)

Children and Young People: Disadvantaged

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, which policy areas relevant to vulnerable children and young people are under consideration in the negotiations on the UK leaving the EU.

Mr Steve Baker: The Government is considering the effect that exiting the EU will have on vulnerable children and young people across a wide range of issues. It is vital that these interests are heard as we enter the negotiations. Officials from the Department for Exiting the European Union have already engaged with child and youth advocacy groups and will continue to do so in the coming weeks and months as part of our strategy to ensure that a wide range of stakeholder perspectives are factored into our approach to exit.The UK has a longstanding tradition of ensuring that our rights and liberties are protected domestically and of fulfilling our international human rights obligations. The decision to leave the EU does not change that. The Repeal Bill will ensure that our rights and freedoms will be brought into UK law and this includes the rights of vulnerable children and young people.

British Nationals Abroad: EU Countries

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 6 of his Department's policy paper entitled Safeguarding the position of EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the EU, published on 26 June 2017, what rights the Government will seek to guarantee for UK nationals who work in one EU Member State but live in another EU Member State or the UK.

Mr Steve Baker: We have been clear that we expect the EU to ensure that life for UK nationals in the EU continues much as it does now, in the same way that we are doing for EU nationals in the UK. This must therefore include the ability to work in one Member State but live in another, for those to whom this applies.

British Nationals Abroad: EU Countries

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, pursuant to the Answer of 13 July 2017 to Question 3786, what assessment he has made of the level of rights protection offered to UK citizens in other EU Member States as proposed in the Brexit: negotiating directives issued on 22 May 2017 by the European Council, compared with the offer outlined in his Department's policy paper, Safeguarding the position of EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the EU, published on 26 June 2017; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Steve Baker: We have published a joint technical note, with the EU, on the comparison of UK and EU positions on citizens’ rights. There is much common ground between the two positions, a clearer understanding on the detail of the positions, and significant convergence on the key issues that really matter to citizens. 



UK-EU joint technical note on citizen's rights
(PDF Document, 217.39 KB)

ERASMUS

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the future of the UK's participation in the Erasmus scheme.

Mr Steve Baker: The Department has regular conversations with officials and Ministers from other governmental departments about a range of policy issues arising from EU exit. With regards to the Erasmus+ programme, the Government recognises the value of international exchange and collaboration in education as part of our vision for the UK as a global nation.There may be European programmes in which we wish to continue to participate after we exit. This will be considered as part of ongoing negotiations with the European Union.

ERASMUS

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions he has had with his counterparts on the future of the UK's participation in the Erasmus scheme.

Mr Steve Baker: The Government recognises the value of international exchange and collaboration in education as part of our vision for the UK as a global nation. There may be European programmes in which we wish to continue to participate after we exit. This will be considered as part of ongoing negotiations with the European Union.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2017 to Question 3557, whether (a) EU and (b) non-EU family members who join eligible EU citizens before (i) the specified date and (ii) the UK leaves the EU will be able to apply for settled status after five years.

Mr Steve Baker: Family members of eligible EU citizens (either EU citizens or non-EU nationals) who are resident in the UK before exit will be eligible to apply for settled status after five years, irrespective of the specified date.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, pursuant to the Answer of 13 July 2017 to Question 3560, whether non-UK EU nationals who have previously lived in the UK but have been absent for more than two consecutive years will have the right to move back to the UK to start accruing years of residence and be eligible for settled status.

Mr Steve Baker: Those who have been living in the UK for five years before the specified date and want to continue to make the UK their home will be able to apply for settled status to stay indefinitely after we exit.Those who have already lived in the UK for over five years and hold permanent residence status under EU law, but were not present at the time of the specified date, will still be eligible for settled status if that absence was less than two consecutive years.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2017 to Question 3557, if during the negotiations on the UK's exit from the EU, he will seek for UK citizens in the EU after the specified date to have the right to bring their family members into the country of residence in accordance with current EU rules.

Mr Steve Baker: As set out in our policy paper of 26 June, we want to provide as much certainty as possible to the three million EU citizens in the UK and the one million UK nationals in the EU, and for their lives to continue broadly as they do now. The precise rules around family reunion will be a matter for negotiations.

Department for Exiting the European Union: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, pursuant to the Answer of 18 July 2017 to Question 3956, on procurement, which contract was cancelled; and what the status was of that contract at cancellation.

Mr Steve Baker: The contract referred to in the answer to Question 3956 was for the provision of transport. The contracted company advised that they were unable to fully meet the requirements set out by the Department and the Department was therefore able to exit the arrangement without charge.

Multinational Companies: Taxation

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether the Government plans to include a multilateral deal on public country-by-country reporting as part of its negotiations on leaving the EU.

Mr Steve Baker: The UK has led international action to enhance tax transparency, and believes a multilateral approach to public country-by-country reporting would help ensure effective implementation.We have raised public country-by-country reporting with international partners and the Government will continue to engage with our international partners, including at EU level, on this issue.

Wales Office

Public Sector: Neath

Christina Rees: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many and what proportion of constituents in Neath worked in the public sector in each year for which data is available.

Guto Bebb: The tables below detail the number and proportion of public sector workers in Neath between 2004 and 2017, as reported in the ONS Annual Population Survey (APS). TimePublic Sector WorkersTotal Workers% of workers in Public SectorApr 2004-Mar 20058,80028,20031.1Apr 2005-Mar 20069,10029,70030.6Apr 2006-Mar 20079,80029,70033.0Apr 2007-Mar 20089,70029,70032.6Apr 2008-Mar 20099,80031,30031.2Apr 2009-Mar 20109,60029,30032.8Apr 2010-Mar 201110,00030,50032.8Apr 2011-Mar 20129,30031,30029.7Apr 2012-Mar 201311,30030,70036.8Apr 2013-Mar 201412,60032,20039.0Apr 2014-Mar 201510,50032,20032.4Apr 2015-Mar 201610,10032,50031.1Apr 2016-Mar 20179,50033,10028.7Source: ONS, Annual Population Survey via nomiswebData is rounded to nearest 100 The preferred source of statistics for public sector employment is the Quarterly Public Sector Employment Survey (QPSES), however, figures from this source are not available at constituency level, therefore the APS statistics are provided above. Individuals in the APS are classified according to their responses to the survey. Consequently, the classification of an individual’s sector may differ from how they would be classified in QPSES statistics.

Department for Education

Further Education: East Midlands

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what level of financial reserves were held by each further education establishment in the East Midlands at the end of each financial year from 2010 to the latest year for which figures are available.

Anne Milton: The value of reserves held by each Further Education College or Sixth Form College in the East Midlands is shown in the attached table for the period 2009/10 to 2015/16, which is the latest college information available. The data also includes information from colleges that were dissolved during this period, following mergers with other colleges (highlighted in red). For the purpose of the information provided, the level of financial reserves is defined as the total net assets/(liabilities) and includes all assets/liabilities including pension liabilities. The 2015/16 college accounts were the first set of college financial statements produced under the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting for Further and Higher Education (SORP2015). This update from SORP2007 reflected changes in the underlying accounting standards. Due to the changes in accounting standards a comparison between the 2015/16 reserves totals and the results from previous years is not a fair comparison. The source of the data is the college accounts annual datasets, which are published at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sfa-financial-management-college-accountsThe datasets comprise the annual returns submitted to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (or predecessor bodies) by the respective individual colleges, which are then consolidated into one annual dataset.



Total College Reserves
(PDF Document, 252.07 KB)

Ministry of Justice

Photographs: Crime

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to introduce legislation making it an offence to take multiple images of an individual, unless it is in the public interest to do so, without that person's permission and where the intent was neither legitimate nor lawful.

Mr David Lidington: The existing law offers protection to anyone subject to intrusive and harassing behaviour from those that seek to take images of them. Depending on the facts of the case, images taken with the intention of causing alarm or distress to the victim may amount to harassment. The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 already makes it an offence for someone to pursue a course of conduct which amounts to harassment and which the perpetrator knows, or ought to know, amounts to harassment of the other. Harassment is generally understood to involve improper, oppressive and unreasonable conduct that is targeted at an individual and calculated to alarm them or cause them distress. If such behaviour is reported to the police, they will investigate and the Crown Prosecution Service will decide whether a prosecution should be brought. The courts will determine whether the elements of any offence are made outWe continue to keep the law under review but have no current plans to introduce further legislation.

Electronic Surveillance: Crime

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to introduce legislation to make it an offence to use a digital device to repeatedly locate, listen to or watch a person without a legitimate purpose.

Mr David Lidington: The Government continues to keep the law under review, working with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Home Office. There are no current plans to introduce new legislation.

Harassment

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to introduce legislation to make it an offence to repeatedly order goods or services for another person if the purpose of such actions is to cause distress, anxiety or to disrupt that person's daily life.

Mr David Lidington: The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (the 1997 Act) already makes it an offence for someone to pursue a course of conduct which amounts to harassment of another and which they know, or ought to know, amounts to harassment of the other. Harassment is generally understood to involve improper, oppressive and unreasonable conduct that is targeted at an individual and calculated to alarm them or cause them distress.Depending on the circumstances, repeatedly sending letters or unwanted 'gifts' or other objects to someone or arranging for others to deliver unwanted items to them could constitute harassment. Where such behaviour is reported to the police, it would be for them to investigate, for the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether a prosecution should be brought, and for the court to determine whether the elements of the offence are made out.The Government has no plans to introduce additional legislation in this area.

Ministry of Justice: Brexit

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much and what proportion of his Department's expenditure has been identified as relating to its work on the UK leaving the EU in 2017-18.

Mr David Lidington: The UK's departure from the European Union impacts upon a number of areas of departmental business, so it is not possible to provide an exact figure for the proportion of departmental expenditure relating to work on leaving the EU.

Reoffenders

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he has taken to reduce re-offending rates for those convicted of serious offences.

Mr David Lidington: Evidence shows that accommodation, family ties, and employment are key factors linked to re-offending. Our programmes of education and training that prepare prisoners for employment on release are available in all prisons, including those holding those convicted of more serious offences. There are also a range of accredited and unaccredited programmes delivered both in prison and in the community that target the particular risks and needs for different types of offending behaviour.England and Wales have well-established, statutory Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) operated by criminal justice and social care agencies enabling them to work together to reduce the risk to the public of further offending by sexual and violent offenders. Information is shared to coordinate risk management plans that support the effective management of these more serious offenders in the community, reducing reoffending and actively protecting past or potential future victims. Equivalent arrangements also apply in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Employment Tribunals Service: Bedford

Mohammad Yasin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when Bedford employment tribunal court is expected to close; which bodies were (a) consulted on and (b) notified of the proposal to close that court; what court services will remain in Bedford after that closure; and if he will publish any documents relating to that closure.

Mr David Lidington: The Bedford Tribunal building will cease holding hearings in September 2017. This has been necessary as the lease held by HM Courts & Tribunals Service could not be renewed. The Regional Employment Tribunal Judge wrote to tribunal users in March 2017 informing them of the change. Since HMCTS are compelled to exit the building by circumstances beyond their control, consultation was not appropriate. Tribunal work, along with county court work, will continue to be heard in Bedford, in the Shire Hall building.

Drugs: Misuse

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people who died as a result of drug misuse in 2015 (a) were serving and (b) had previously served prison sentences in the UK.

Mr David Lidington: It has not been possible to answer this question in the time allowed. I will write to the honourable member in due course.

Offences Against Children: Compensation

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will update the guidance to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme so that the governing rules are in line with the law and state that a child under 16 years cannot consent to sexual activity.

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will update the guidance to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme so that the governing rules do not discriminate against a child who has been coerced into criminal activity as a result of grooming.

Mr David Lidington: Child sexual abuse is abhorrent, and victims can apply for taxpayer-funded compensation awards through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (the Scheme). The Scheme is made by the Secretary of State under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1995 having been approved by each House of Parliament. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) administers the Scheme and decides all claims independently of ministers and Parliament. The CICA sets guidelines to assist them in administering the Scheme.The CICA guidelines are intended to make sure that controlling and abusive behaviour is taken into account when handling compensation applications for child sexual abuse. The CICA are urgently reviewing their guidelines to ensure they are robust enough to deal with cases where grooming may be a factor.

Social Security Benefits: Appeals

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) employment and support allowance and (b) personal independence payment appeals there have been in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside and (iii) the North East in each year since 2010; and how many such appeals were successful.

Mr David Lidington: The table below contains the requested information.Appeals in the First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support) in the North East , Jarrow1 and South Tyneside1 for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)2 and Personal Independence Payment (PIP)3ESA - North EastYear4Receipts Clearances at Hearing Found in Favour of Appellant2009/102365534162010/113242771632011/1232666105202012/1353269150072013/1438592202942014/15762659052015/16923442362016/17170067496 ESA - Jarrow and South TynesideYear4Receipts Clearances at Hearing Found in Favour of Appellant2009/107701562010/1110562012011-1210514422012/1313885072013/1410526062014/152362002015/163631592016/17735281  PIP - North EastYear4Receipts Clearances at Hearing Found in Favour of Appellant2009/10002010/11002011-12002012/13002013/14225~52014/1528413932015/16889536642016/17170356216 PIP - Jarrow and South TynesideYear4Receipts Clearances at Hearing Found in Favour of Appellant2009/10002010/11002011-12002012/13002013/14602014/1564152015/16193762016/17446123 1 Social Security and Child Support data are attributed to the hearing venue nearest to the appellants’ home address. For appellants living in Jarrow and South Tyneside appeals are attributed to the South Shields venue. Data are not available at a level more-detailed than hearing venue. 2 Includes ESA and ESA (Reassessments). 3 PIP replaced Disability Living Allowance for people aged 16 to 64 and rolled out from 8 April 2013. As such, appeal volumes in HM Courts & Tribunals Service in the Year 2013-2014 are low. 4 By financial year - from April to March. 5 ~ Denotes appeal types where fewer than five cases were involved and therefore data are statistically unreliable. The data are a subset of official statistics extracted from the case management system on a different date. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the data, the details are subject to inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale case management system and are the best data available.

Ministry of Defence

War Widows: Pensions

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people received a war widows pension in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The numbers of people in receipt of a War Widow(er)s pension in the years requested are provided below.  31 March 201422,44631 March 201520,53331 March 201618,95031 March 201717,311

Armed Forces: Allowances

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the armed forces received an operational allowance in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The total number of members of the Armed Forces who received an Operational Allowance in the years requested is shown below: Financial YearNumber of Service Personnel receiving an Operational Allowance2014-1515,5922015-164,7292016-175,994

Veterans: Training

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether skills training is available for veterans who have been medically discharged from the armed forces.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Yes, Service leavers who are being, or are likely to be, medically discharged are entitled to all elements of the Core Resettlement Programme (CRP) plus the Specialist Support Programme (SSP) which are provided by the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Career Transition Partnership (CTP) with Right Management Ltd (the delivery contractor).The CRP provides access to vocational training so that transferable skills which Service leavers develop during their time in the Armed Forces are accredited to equivalent civilian qualifications. The CRP can also be used to gain new skills and qualifications.The SSP is a vocational assessment and gives access to a specialist employment consultant who helps to create a bespoke resettlement plan. This specialist resettlement pathway (CTP Assist) delivers an individually tailored, needs based service to those Service personnel who face the greatest barriers to employment given their medical condition. The MOD provides funding and other support to enable access to required training.The MOD recognises that medically discharged Service leavers often need longer in resettlement than other leavers to achieve vocational success. Since February 2013, all medically discharging personnel and those assessed as likely to medically discharge, can start resettlement as soon as it is appropriate for the individual. For those who are not able to undertake resettlement activities because of their medical condition, it is possible to defer resettlement for up to two years after discharge and, in extreme cases resettlement provision may be transferred to the spouse, civil partner or a nominated proxy of the Service leaver.

Ministry of Defence: European Union (Withdrawal) Bill

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the potential number of Acts or parts of Acts in the remit of his Department that will be subject to repeal as a result of provisions in the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill.

Mark Lancaster: Government Departments have been analysing the UK statute book and directly applicable EU law in their areas of responsibility to enable an assessment of the scale of the changes needed. This work is ongoing and is likely to include the repeal, but also the amendment, of provisions in Acts.In the Government White Paper on the Repeal Bill, Legislating for the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, published on 30 March 2017, we estimated that around 800-1,000 EU-exit related Statutory Instruments will be required.

Ministry of Defence: Welsh Language

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which of his Department's online services are only available in the Welsh language on request.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Ministry of Defence's Welsh Language Scheme states that 'in the conduct of its business with the public in Wales, it will treat the English and Welsh languages on a basis of equality' and describes the services that the Ministry of Defence will provide in Welsh. Further details are published in both English and Welsh at the following address:www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence/about/welsh-language-schemeI would be happy to look further into any services that are not considered to be adequately covered by this scheme.

Ministry of Defence Police

Stewart Malcolm McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of planned reductions to the Ministry of Defence Police's officer complement on the security of the defence estate.

Stewart Malcolm McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what consultations his Department conducted before the decision was taken to reduce the size of the Ministry of Defence Police's officer complement; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The safety and security of the defence estate continues to be of the utmost importance. There are many ways this is achieved, including the vital role provided by the Ministry of Defence Police.Discussions are ongoing across the Department in order to ensure that our policing resources are deployed where they are most needed. We continue to fully safeguard all of our sites and would never contemplate changes that would place these in jeopardy. Consultation with the Defence Police Federation will take place in the normal manner.

Department for Work and Pensions

Pensioners: Christmas Bonus

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many pensioners received a £10 Christmas bonus in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17.

Guy Opperman: The number of people who receive the Christmas Bonus is published in DWP’s Benefit Expenditure and Caseload tables (Table_2c):https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/benefit-expenditure-tables

Universal Credit: Students

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effect on disabled full-time students of the introduction of universal credit.

Damian Hinds: Most full time students including disabled students and those with health conditions are not entitled to UC because financial support is available through various loans. As such, the rules are designed so that a person in receipt of UC because of disability or ill health is not discouraged from taking up education that may help them in the future.

Personal Independence Payment: Appeals

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applicants have appealed the level of personal independence payment awarded in (a) Aberdeen North constituency, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK in each year since April 2013; and how many of those applications were awarded less at tribunal.

Penny Mordaunt: The information is not readily available and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Personal Independence Payment

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applicants moving from disability living allowance to personal independence payment have been awarded less than they were receiving through disability living allowance in (a) Aberdeen North constituency, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK in each year since April 2013.

Penny Mordaunt: The table below shows the number of applicants moving from disability living allowance to personal independence payment who were awarded less than they were receiving through disability living allowance between April 2013 and October 2016, the latest date for which figures are available. Table – decreased awards following reassessment for PIP in Aberdeen North, Scotland and Great Britain Aberdeen NorthScotlandGreat BritainJan to Dec 2013###Jan to Dec 2014#80016,100Jan to Dec 20151006,50065,400Jan to Oct 201620013,500149,200Total30020,800230,700 ‘#’ used for instances where there are less than 10 cases to avoid the release of confidential data.

Universal Credit

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2017 to Question 1063, if he will make it his policy to record the data necessary to calculate the average time between universal credit applicants making their initial application and receiving their first payment; and if he will make a statement.

Damian Hinds: I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave on 18 July 2017 to question 4898

State Retirement Pensions: Females

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his Department spent on advertising campaigns to alert women born in the 1950s of the changes proposed by his Department in each year since 2011.

Guy Opperman: Following the Pensions Act 2011, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) wrote to those directly affected by the legislation (people born 6 April 1953 to 5 April 1960) to inform them of the change to their State Pension age. This involved mailing more than 5 million letters. Advertising campaigns have been used more widely to encourage people to find out more about their State Pension and the earliest they can claim it, by using online tools such as ‘Check your State Pension’, the State Pension age calculator and information at gov.uk. These campaigns supported the nationwide launch of the new State Pension and were not solely targeted to women or a specific age group.

Department for Work and Pensions: Advertising

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the 10 costliest advertising campaigns undertaken by his Department were in each year since 2010.

Caroline Dinenage: Information on the 10 costliest advertising campaigns undertaken within the Department each year since 2010 is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

State Retirement Pensions: Females

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many items of correspondence his Department has received on pension changes to pensions of women born in the 1950s from (a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public in each year since 2011.

Guy Opperman: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) receive thousands of items of correspondence relating to State Pension age. However we are unable to break down the correspondence as requested relating to changes to State Pension age for women born in the 1950s from, (a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public in each year since 2011.

Social Security Benefits: Mental Health

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of (a) benefit sanctions, (b) the benefits cap and (c) the benefits freeze on the mental health of benefit claimants; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Dinenage: No assessment specifically has been made on the impact of benefit sanctions and the benefit freeze on claimants’ with mental health. We are committed to supporting those who cannot work, and those with additional needs. Decision Makers take all the claimant’s individual circumstances, including any health conditions or disabilities, and any evidence of good cause into account before making a decision. Benefits for the additional costs of disability, and for carers, are exempt from the benefit freeze and will continue to be up-rated in the usual way The evaluation of the original benefit cap found that capped households were 41% more likely to go into work than similar uncapped households. Encouraging more households to move into work would also help increase the household’s income and improve their well-being. Research shows for people without work, re-employment leads to improvement in health and well-being whereas further unemployment leads to deterioration. We therefore expect the reduction of the benefit cap to have a positive impact on households moving into work.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Rivers: Pollution

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of an enforcement undertaking in reducing the incidence of pollution of English watercourses.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Enforcement undertakings have only been available for the main water pollution offences in England under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (2010) since April 2015, although they have been used on a few occasions since 2011 under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act (1975). Enforcement undertakings provide a useful tool to be used, alongside other enforcement options such as prosecution and formal caution, to mitigate the impact of pollution and minimise the risk of similar incidents reoccurring. As yet it is too early to have assessed their effectiveness in reducing the incidence of pollution in the longer term.

Ivory: Sales

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 July 2017 to Question 1761, when he plans to launch a consultation on further UK restrictions on the sale of ivory.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Bringing an end to elephant poaching is a priority for this government. We are currently considering next steps and will set these out in due course.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Staff

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many officials of his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies have the word trade in their job title.

George Eustice: We do not currently hold data that would enable us to provide you with a full response. Officials working in a range of areas and professions have the word trade in their job title.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Welsh Language

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which of his Department's online services are only available in the Welsh language on request.

George Eustice: The majority of Defra’s customer facing work would be a devolved matter for the Welsh government and so it does not provide services in the Welsh language.

Food: Manufacturing Industries

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve productivity in food manufacturing.

George Eustice: Food and drink is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector employing 400,000 people. The success of the industry is crucial to driving growth across the country. Through our International Action Plan, Defra and DIT are helping the sector to export more. This is through opening new markets, supporting new exporters and targeted export campaigns in priority markets such as China, USA and India. We are opening up public procurement to more SMEs and local producers and funding the Food Innovation Network to help the spread of innovation.There is extensive interest in the Industrial Strategy across the sector as evidenced by their response to the Industrial Strategy green paper. The sector is also keen on a sector deal and we look forward to seeing detailed proposals.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: European Union (Withdrawal) Bill

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the potential number of Acts or parts of Acts that will be subject to repeal as a result of provisions in the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill.

George Eustice: Government departments have been analysing the UK statute book and directly applicable EU law in their areas of responsibility to enable an assessment of the scale of the changes needed. This is likely to include the repeal, but also the amendment, of provisions in Acts but we are not in a position to give a sense of scale at this time.   In the Government White Paper on the Repeal Bill [‘Legislating for the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union’], published on 30 March 2017, we estimated around 800 - 1,000 EU-exit related Statutory Instruments will be required for the whole of Government.

Home Office

Domestic Violence: Homicide

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of women killed by a partner they had already reported to police in the last three years; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Office Homicide Index contains information on homicides by a partner or an ex-partner. Information is not held on whether the victim had previously reported the partner to the police Information on the number of women and men aged 16 or over killed by a partner or ex-partner is published in the Office for National Statistics publication Focus on Violent Crime and Sexual Offences: Year ending March 2016, available here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/compendium/focusonviolentcrimeandsexualoffences/yearendingmarch2016 The Government has put Domestic Homicide Reviews on a statutory basis and rolled out the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme so that the police may disclose information about previous violent offending by a current or former partner in order to safeguard victims. The Government has announced it will bring forward a Domestic Violence and Abuse Bill that will transform the state’s response to domestic abuse.

Cybercrime: Complaints

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps are being taken to ensure that each police service in England and Wales record complaints and outcomes of digital crime and abuse.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Office Counting Rules (HOCR) for police recorded crime governs the requirements on police forces to record and categorise crime and outcomes correctly, including the flagging of certain crimes or factors. From 1 April, flags were incorporated into the HOCR, including an online flag, to improve the data collection and flagging of these offences. The flag should be added to each crime record when an offence is either committed, in full or in part, through a computer, computer network or other computer enabled device. HMIC’s current rolling programme of crime data integrity inspections is keeping the spotlight on forces to improve the accuracy of their crime recording, including incidents where online crime has been reported.

Police Community Support Officers: Crime Prevention

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effect of the reduction in the number of community police support officers in (a) the UK and (b) South Yorkshire on crime reduction and prevention.

Mr Nick Hurd: Decisions on the size and composition of the workforce including community support officers are local decisions for the Chief Constable and the directly accountable Police and Crime Commissioner of each force area.

Safer Neighbourhood Teams

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Safer Neighbourhood teams were operational in each police force on 1 January 2010 in England and Wales.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Safer Neighbourhood teams were operational in each police force on 1 January 2017 in England and Wales.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Safer Neighbourhood teams were operational in each London borough on 1 January 2010.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Safer Neighbourhood teams were operational in each London borough on 1 January 2017.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the main duties were of Safer Neighbourhood teams in 2010.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Safer Neighbourhood teams operated in each ward of each London borough in (a) 2010 and (b) 2017.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers by rank there were in each Safer Neighbourhood team in each police force in 2010.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers by rank have been allocated to each Safer Neighbourhood team in each police force area in 2017.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the main duties are of Safer Neighbourhood teams.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Office collects and publishes data on the number of officers primarily employed in Neighbourhood Policing/Safer Neighbourhood roles by police force area. However, the Home Office does not hold data on the number of Safer Neighbourhood teams, only on the number of full-time equivalent officers under their primary function. The number of full time equivalent police officers in each police force (and specifically in the Metropolitan Police), primarily employed in Neighbourhood Policing/Safer Neighbourhood roles, can be found in the data tables published alongside the annual ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletins, which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales Data as at 31 March 2017 can be found in Table F1 of the accompanying tables of the police workforce statistics, published on 20 July 2017, here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-31-march-2017 Previous data were collected under a different framework, with different definitions. Therefore, data prior to 31 March 2015 are not directly comparable with later years. Although some functions may appear to be similar between the two, there are often differences in definitions, and so any attempts to compare across the two frameworks should be done with caution. Data under the old framework have been published since 2012, and can be found in the supplementary data tables of the relevant police workforce publications via the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales Officers with multiple responsibilities or designations are recorded under their primary function. The data do not therefore provide a complete picture of all officers assigned to neighbourhood policing functions. A more reliable measure is the number of officers employed in ‘Local policing’ roles, which includes both neighbourhood and response functions. This measure is available for 2015 and 2016, but not for previous years where a different framework was used. Any comparisons at force level should be made with care due to collaboration arrangements between forces for particular functions. Additionally, police functions data are often affected by re-structuring within police forces. Therefore comparisons over time for specific functions should be made with care. The Home Office does not collect data at the London borough or at the ward level. Data as at 31 January, or broken down by rank, are also not available. Decisions on duties and deployments are matters for Chief Constables and the directly accountable Police and Crime Commissioners for each local area.  The Government believes in local policing, accountable to local communities. That is why we abolished all central Government targets and put local people in charge by introducing directly elected police and crime commissioners. Police and Crime Commissioners, the elected mayors in London and Manchester and local forces are transforming the way in which they deploy operational resources to meet local circumstances and priorities and adapt to the changing crime threat. The distinction between Neighbourhoods and response teams is no longer clear cut as forces transform the way in which they deploy operational resources and evolve roles to meet local circumstances and priorities, and adapt to the changing crime threat. The freedom to exercise discretion and flexibility has resulted in a range of local policing approaches. At least 33 forces have introduced significant changes, including merging neighbourhoods and response functions; or, for example, in Durham where safeguarding teams have been bought together with Neighbourhoods teams.

Police

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers by rank were in post on 1 January 2017 in England and Wales.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers by rank were in post on 1 January 2010 in England and Wales.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Office collects and publishes statistics on the number of police officers employed by each police force in England and Wales on a bi-annual basis. These data are published in the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletins, which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-31-march-2017 Table H3 in the data tables accompanying this release show the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) police officers, broken down by rank, employed in England and Wales as at 31 March each year. The Home Office does not hold information on the number of officers in post as at 1 January.

Police: Greater London

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how often tasking meetings were held by the Police in each London borough in (a) 2010 and (b) 2016.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the frequency was of Police tasking meetings in each Police area in England and Wales in (a) 2010 and (b) 2017.

Mr Nick Hurd: This information is not collated centrally. This is an operational matter for individual forces.

Crimes of Violence: Acids

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the recorded number of (a) attackers and (b) victims of an incident involving a corrosive substance was by gender in (i) 2015, (ii) 2016 and (iii) 2017.

Mr Nick Hurd: Acid and other corrosive attacks resulting in injury are included in Office for National Statistics published statistics within the relevant offence, such as assault with injury or assault with intent to cause serious harm.Indicative figures from the National Police Chiefs’ Council suggest that 408 acid or corrosive attacks were carried out in the six months up to April 2017, based on returns from 39 police forces in England and Wales. These figures must be treated with caution, as they are not official statistics. We have also announced a cross Government action plan to tackle the use of acid and other corrosives in violent attacks which includes improving police recording and reporting of offences.

HM Treasury

Petroleum Revenue Tax

Peter Dowd: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people received an exemption from the petroleum revenue tax for the oil allowance in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17.

Andrew Jones: Profits subject to Petroleum Revenue Tax (PRT) and any associated allowances are assessed for at an individual oil and gas field level. Companies are assessed every six months for each field in which they have an interest. The number of instances in which companies benefited from oil allowance are shown in the table below for each of the half year periods. A company could be counted more than once in a period if it has interests in multiple fields.   First six monthsSecond six months2014-1526162015-161252016-17Oil allowance did not benefit any company in this year: no PRT was due as the tax was permanently zero-rated from 1 January 2016

Cabinet Office

Iraq Committee of Inquiry

Paul Flynn: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he expects the lessons learned investigation across Whitehall co-ordinated by the National Security Adviser to report.

Caroline Nokes: The Government has received the report of Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee on the Iraq Inquiry, and will be responding in due course, setting out the lessons learned.

Department for International Trade

Department for International Trade: Brexit

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how much and what proportion of his Department's expenditure has been identified as relating to its work on the UK leaving the EU in 2017-18.

Mark Garnier: I refer the hon. Member for Arfon to the answer I gave on 24 July, UIN: 5029.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: European Union (Withdrawal) Bill

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate her Department has made of the potential number of Acts or parts of Acts that will be subject to repeal as a result of provisions in the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill.

Matt Hancock: Government departments have been analysing the United Kingdom statute book and directly applicable European Union law in their areas of responsibility to enable an assessment of the scale of the changes needed. This is likely to include the repeal, but also the amendment, of provisions in Acts but we are not in a position to give a sense of scale at this time. In the Government White Paper on the Repeal Bill Legislating for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, published on 30 March 2017, we estimated around 800-1,000 EU-exit related Statutory Instruments will be required.